Chapter Two
Assassins
We had just trudged into Hightown. It was only Hawke, Fenris and I walking home, and I was looking forward to face-planting into bed and calling Alistair to let him know I made it home safe. I had been giving him updates for the last 2 and a half months of our trip; a month there, a month back and 2 weeks in the deep.
I sighed when I heard the First-Enchanter speaking the square.
"Knight-Commander Meredith uses fear to take control of your city! She opposes every effort to replace the old Viscount, and I'm sure you have seen the chaos of her Reign by now! Will you allow it?" the nobles around him whispered to each other, and I could feel the panic in them.
I was actually grateful when they started to part as Meredith and several Templars marched up. "Return to your homes; this farce is over."
Immediately, many of the gathered crowd began to walk away with haste. No one wanted this blond menace to turn on them.
"Wait! Perhaps there are some who might disagree with you, Knight-Commander?" Orsino called out. He was pointing to Hawke and I… lovely.
"Do not hide behind the Champions; they have no role in this!"
I smirked when Hawke spoke up, "It sounds like you two have quite the little argument going on here."
"This is not an argument; it's Treason," Meredith spat as she and Orsino stepped toe-to-toe.
"I think the views of the Champions would be appreciated; or do you fear what they have to say?"
"I fear nothing. My only interest here is in keeping order and protecting the Innocent."
"I do believe the First-Enchanter has accused you of trying to take over the whole city, Knight-Commander. You should answer the charge." Hawke looked bone-tired of the bullshit.
"The city! I am trying to keep order until there is a ruler capable of succeeding where Dumar failed."
"And if not? Will the Templars attempt to rule Kirkwall forever?" Orsino spat.
"We will not sit Idle while the City burns around us!"
"The Templar order exists to guard the Chantry and the Circle; I suggest you let the nobility rule the City!"
"I do not need you or anyone to tell me what my duty is, Mage!"
"Enough! The First-Enchanter is right in this matter, at least. It isn't your duty to rule Kirkwall." Hawke stated.
"At yet I shall continue until such a time as the city is safe."
"Do you see? She is incapable of reason."
"Silence!" I shouted, stunning everyone in the area. "Meredith, Orsino, you are acting in a manner not fit to your positions. Both of you are acting like children and the other has your favorite toy. You will not like it if we have to choose a side in your lovers quarrel. Cease this at once!"
There were sniggers from the on-lookers but I sent a glare and shut them up prettily.
That was when Sebastian approached with Elthina in tow. She sauntered forward with a smile at me as she spoke. "My, my… such a terrible commotion."
"This mage incites rebellion, your Grace; I am dealing with the matter."
I snorted at Meredith's words at said, "You are not dealing with it, you are feeding into it. If you had truly wanted him to stop, you would have had him escorted to the Gallows rather than duking it out here in the Quad. You wanted this to be a fight. And you, Orsino, this is childish of you; you could have had any number of your people sent on a legitimate mission and ask assistance of the Divine if you truly think Meredith is unfit. I have contacts, you could have asked me. Instead, this matter has turned into a child's tantrum and the both of you are now tattling to mother. Grow up, for magics sake!" I snarled. Fenris placed a single hand on my shoulder and only then did I realize my back was shimmering; attempting to let my wings free in my anger – no one else seemed to notice, thankfully.
Elthina and Sebastian both smiled at me and the former looked at two Templars to her left. "Would the two of you show the First-Enchanter back to the Circle; gently if you please…?"
"Your Grace! He should be made an example of; clapped in Irons and…"
"That is enough, Meredith. This demeans us all, surely you can see that? Go back to the Gallows and calm down, like a good girl." Meredith glared at her then shot me a dirty look before bowing to the Revered Mother and stalking off.
"You both have my thanks for stepping in, Champions, had you not…" Elthina smiled again.
"Short of putting those two in cells or Marriage Counseling, I doubt anything will calm this situation. As it is, nothing will keep them from each-others' throats." I snarled.
"Sadly true… Gentle people of Kirkwall; return to your homes, I implore you. This matter will not be solved today." Everyone slowly filtered out and Elthina sighed, "I must attend to the Gallows. They will see reason if the Maker wills it; thank you again, champion." And she left.
"So… marriage counseling?" Hawke asked amused. "They bicker like an old married couple!"
"Huh… why didn't I think of that?" he gave me a short hug before walking off.
The next day, I was pissed. When Alistair heard what was about to happen, he wanted to come to defend his queen. I told him this was my battle; well… mine and Hawkes. He shouted, I shouted and suddenly we were having a fight. Go figure that our first real fight would be about my safety, but at least I freaking won.
We were heading toward the Chantry when we met Nuncio… not where I thought he would be.
"Ah the Champions of Kirkwall! Your reputations precede you… but forgive me, I should introduce myself properly. My name is Nuncio Caldera Lanos; I am a noble from the beautiful country of Antiva."
Hawke looked at me and I shrugged as I took in Nuncio. He was 5'8 with cropped brown hair and lovely tanned skin. His eyes were a pretty hazel-green that matched his face and complexion. Why did he have to be lovely to look at?
"I bet it took a lot of practice to say that all in one breath," Hawke smirked. Fenris sighed.
"It was mostly to impress the ladies, I assure you," Nuncio shot me a wink and I wrinkled my nose, stepping into Fenris' arms. I knew that showed Nuncio that I was likely not the woman he thought I was.
"I have come to ask your help, actually. Hiding among the Dalish is an Elven Assassin I have been chasing for months. He is a master manipulator and will even endanger his own kind to ensure his own survival."
I gave a gasp, and that meant that Hawke and Fenris both knew I was playing Nuncio a fool.
"An assassin? Here? Do you think he's… could he be after Hawke?"
"It is entirely possible, my lady. I was after him for Antiva at first… but after losing so many good men, I find it has become personal. He is no more than a thief, liar and murderer."
"Of course will go to the Dalish for this. And we will bring him in," Hawke nodded.
"We will not be here… we have a camp outside the city; look for us there."
As soon as the men were gone, Hawke looked at me, "I guess it's time to introduce you to that friend of Bela and me…"
"Zev? The man they're sending us after is Zevran?" Hawke laughed as we continued forward.
"Ara!"
I whirled at the familiar voice calling my name.
"Delilah, sweetie, what are you doing… Nate. Is he in trouble?!" Hawke was immediately on alert.
She nodded, "The Wardens mounted an expedition to retrace your steps in the Deep Roads to discover whatever was left from your trip years ago! A fool's errand, but Nathaniel is with them."
I chuckled. "You do know that he has crawled out of worse places alive, right? We'll find him. How's your little one?"
She actually smiled. "He's growing! You were right though; just when you're at your wits end, they do something so adorable that it's all suddenly worth it. I named him after my grandfather, Tarleton."
"You were a mother?" Hawke asked. I flinched, realizing I had somehow managed to mention my past without what led to my death.
"Um… I didn't mention it?"
"No. you mentioned the unborn child that you lost in return for… but not an actual child."
Right. The Law of Equal Exchange that caused me to lose Alistairs babe in return for Bethany's life.
"His name was Levi and he was 3 when I… came here. So I guess… he'd be about 10 now. Delilah, you can stay at my place while we head down to look for Nate, if you want. Or we can send him back to Amaranthine… your choice."
She smiled at me and said, "I'll stay, it you really don't mind…" I nodded and we headed off.
I knew that after returning home, Anders had asked Hawke for help gathering his explosive materials. And they'd be doing that when we got back from the Deep Roads.
We gathered Anders and Isabela and headed up Sundermount.
We entered the camp and I spotted the woman from the game.
"Greetings, Dirth'len. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Is Zevran here, sweetie? He's an old friend of mine."
She smiled at me, "He's in the cave over there, but I warn you there are bad people looking for him. He warned us not to hide his location; he didn't want us hurt for it."
"I know honey. I'm here to help him though."
We reached the cave and rather than dealing with the traps, I shouted, "Zev; if you don't disarm all of these traps, I won't allow you to hug me!" Hawke and co. gave me a funny look, but Isabela chuckled as we heard someone moving swiftly to disarm traps.
Zev threw himself into my arms before looking around, "I must admit, I was waiting for an assault from the Crows… not a hug from a friend!"
I giggled. "Zev, this is Hawke. Fenris, my love, don't look so jealous; Zev failed to seduce his way into my bed years ago!"
"You take another before me, Bellisima? I am wounded!"
"Cullen, Alistair and Fenris are the ones I chose, Zev. And as I've said before, I can think of much worse ways to wound you without resorting to words!"
"You have had a taste of that Templar then, Bellisima?" Zev smirked as I set up a table with food. We all sat for lunch.
"Not exactly… he courted me for a time before knowing I have magic. Then he lived in as a Templar guard… then I was named Champion with Hawke and the Nobles demanded that Meredith leave me alone."
"Did you try to…?"
"Yes I tried to keep the Templars at my place, but the Nobles were adamant."
"A shame that. So I take it you are not going to hand me over to Nuncio?"
I snorted, "No way! I like you better than I like that piece of crap!"
"And glad I am to hear that, Bellisima!"
"You talk to Leli, lately?"
"No… should I have?" "She left hand to the Divine now. Aedan is moody about me being in the middle of this shit storm and Alistair wants to come keep me safe… he and I actually fought about it last night! Can you believe that?"
"He does love you."
"I feel so left out…" Varric muttered as Zev and I did our catching up, so I looked over at him. "Varric, dear, you could feel free to jump in at any time."
"What would I say, Feathers? Would I tell him about Vinmark or Chateau Haine? Maybe the Deep roads expeditions' real story?"
For my sake, Varric had not added me to the books… though Cass would know about it, thanks to Leli; I was only a 'companion' to Hawke in the books rather than a main character. People would know the truth, but no one would care until Inquisition began.
"Could. Or you could make a new friend. Zev is sweet… like a killer flower. He may be dangerous, but can he really be so bad if I count him as a friend?"
Hawke laughed, "Considering there is also Fenris, Isabela, and… well anyone in our group, I'd say yes! He should fit right in though."
It was hours later when we got to Nuncios' camp and Hawke sauntered up and said, "I let your assassin go… was I not supposed to do that?"
Nuncios face twisted with rage, "You had him and you let him go?" I giggled, "Did you really not recognize me? I traveled with Zev in Ferelden. Ignacio did not mention this?"
"But…! You cling to that elf with you! You can't be King Alistairs Mistress!"
I rolled my eyes, "Polyamory, my dude. I have multiple partners… they just refuse to take other partners and I'm not going to force it."
Nuncio snarled, "No one fails the Crows and lives!"
"Really? Because I've killed quite a few Crows now… let's see… I defeated Zev, I helped kill the one sent after Zev, oh and there was that ambush set before the Wyvern Hunt for Chateau Haine… now you; I think I might be better than the Crows at this rate," I shrugged as Isabela laughed and Fenris gripped my arm. Hawke and Varric both snorted.
"Ah poor, stupid Nuncio; the Crows do like that saying, but Ara and I are living proof that it is a lie. I do not know why they insist on thinking they can kill people like Aedan, Hawke and you, Ara… they never succeed it seems." Zev stepped in. I giggled and threw my arms around him again.
"This will be just like old times, hmm?" I asked, "Most certainly!"
"You are nothing but a traitor and a coward, Zevran; you will die here!" Zevs head twitched as he let me go and turned swiftly to throw a dagger into the throat of the mad rushing us.
"Kill the bitch first!" Nuncio shouted, pointing at me. I looked at Zev, "I don't think he realizes what a mistake he just made… Fenris won't take kindly to that…"
Zev looked at Fenris who had growled and began glowing as he ripped out the heart of a man who was advancing at me. "That is new, Bellisima… you certainly have a Type, don't you."
"The over-protective warrior with a strong sense of justice? Yeah, I noticed that too…" I sat on the ground next to Hawke as we all just watched Fenris go on a rampage.
"Um… Bellisima… do not look now, but your handsome warrior seems to be injured…" Zev pointed. I looked and saw he had a dagger embedded in his leg. He didn't seem to feel it, but it activated my protective instinct.
"You dare harm what is mine?" I shouted, knowing they could not understand me. "They really stepped in it now. Last time she was like this, Alistair got a wound that was no more than a scratch and she cleared Soldiers Keep. She killed hundreds of Darkspawn and Ghouls within 2 hours…" Zev was explaining as I reached my hand out and used magic to lift all the Crows in the air.
My other hand waved parallel to the ground, pulling plant roots out to act as spikes. Once they were all dead – except Nuncio, who I 'tied' to the ground – I focused on Fenris.
I knew he was still having trouble learning the language of the Fae, so I pointed to the wound in his leg with a glowing hand.
"You want to heal it?" Fenris asked. I nodded. "I suppose." As soon as the wound was healed, my 'goddess' mode dissipated.
Zev looked at Nuncio, "Do you know what kind of mistake you've made? She may allow her mates – or husbands or whatever she calls them – to protect her most of the time, but I would not wish to see her bad side aimed at me. She scares me more than the Crows ever did, Nuncio."
"I… I can see why…" Nuncio whimpered, watching me with wide eyes. I crossed my arms as I watched him, allowing a tale from my fox form to slip out. It was the easiest way to show that I was restraining myself since it flicked like a cat about to pounce on prey.
"Your men harmed my mate, Nuncio; you saw how easily I dealt with them. But you… I leave you for Zev. Friends don't steal the kills of friends, after all." Zev gave a feral grin at my words and ever so slowly pressed a blade into Nuncios throat.
"Well, Bellisima, it is time for me to move on. I still have a war to wage in Antiva, and so little time. Hopefully this is not farewell… Unless you'd care to take me up on my offer?" he gave me a wink as he looked me over.
"No… but I do want a new Tattoo…" everyone looked at me like I was nuts.
"Really, Ara? What are you planning on getting, and how…?" Hawke asked.
"Zev, do you have your needles or do I need to provide both the inks and needles?" I asked. "I do not have them with me. The bag you gave me to carry my things was nearly full, so I had to pick and choose."
I pulled a magic powered tattoo gun and several Inks from my magic bag. "This will do… just let me set up my pocket realm and we can get started!"
Eight hours later, I came out of the room that Zev, Fenris and I had been in while he tattooed my right breast, much to Fenris' annoyance. I had gotten the Triple Moon done in swirling purple with a pentagram of elements in the center of the 'full' moon done in the 5 elemental colors. Spirit was a light purple, then moving to the right – from a viewer's point – blue for water, red for fire, green for earth, and yellow for air. In the center of the Pentagram, a Triquetra – the Wiccan symbol for land, sea and sky or even the goddess.
I was wearing a black tube top and black shorts; the Tattoo was covered by gauze and vitamin A&E.
"What did you get, kitten?" Bela was trying very hard to peak around the gauze.
"A symbol for my religion." I described the tattoo before Zev asked, "This tattoo… gun, did you call it? May I keep it?"
I pulled out the case and extra needles and inks, basically giving him a whole kit. "It's powered by magic, so if it runs out, you'll need to 'recharge' it. But yes, Zev… think of it as the payment for the tattoo," I winked.
"It was my pleasure, Bellisima."
"How much do you value your life?" Fenris asked in an off-handed manner. Zev chuckled. "She would never allow me to get close, my friend. This was professional for her."
"Be glad for that. While I find myself unable to feel jealous toward the other two, you have no problem killing," Fenris remarked.
I giggled.
"Alright, it's dark out now, so we will all sleep here tonight and go our separate ways tomorrow. Unless you plan to follow us to the deep roads in the morning…?" I asked Zev.
"Ah, I wish I could, Bellisima; but as I said, there is a war for me and not enough time. Perhaps I will see you again in a few years?"
I smiled and forced a vision, "Yeah. When Leli and I are working together again in a few years, we'll bring you to our lair and you work alongside her. Sound good?" he nodded.
It took us a week to get down to the Deep Roads and another 3 days to get to Nathaniel. We had brought Bethany, Carver, Fenris, Anders and Varric.
It was almost too late. He was injured on the ground, surrounded by 31 Darkspawn – Hurlocks and Genlock. Thankfully there were no Emissaries or Ogres.
I roared to get the attention of the darkspawn. They all froze and looked over as I summoned rocks and fire to beat down on them, knocking them back as Carver and Fenris rushed forward and Varric and Bethany began shooting bolts of arrows or magic while I strode over to Nates side.
"When Delilah asked me to find you, I was so hoping it wouldn't be this bad. Nate, I swear…" I was scolding him as I healed his wounds.
"I hear you're the champion of Kirkwall now."
"Well… me and your future Brother-in-law!"
"And there's Anders… wait what?"
"Making friends as always, I see," Anders snarked, preventing the questions from Nate. "There's no escaping you, it seems." Nate could dish the snark as well as he got it.
"I'm special that way," Anders smirked, "That's one way to put it."
"Er… your sister said you were following our route. Can I ask…?"
"You went further than anyone thought possible; the first Warden himself ordered this. I was offered a generous share of the salvage and extra coin up front to discourage any… curiosity."
"Right well… let's go rescue your people and then will talk about your relationship…"
"Wait. Ara, is this the man you told me about? The one you said was… well… for me?" Bethany asked.
I saw Nates head swivel and when he saw her, he blushed. "I… take it you are the Lady Mage that Ara has told me about?"
"I'm Bethany…." Hawke cut of the talk with a grunt of disgust and said, "You said that his group was in trouble?"
"Yeah. A Dwarf who is good with explosives and… possibly one more, but it isn't very… wait; you brought her? Oh this will be fun!" I was gleefully giggling as I began skipping.
"Who? Who did he bring?" Anders asked. "Natia! Commander of the Grey for Ferelden. You know, she's practically another sister!"
We of course reached Dworkins cousin first. "Temmerin; good man. Are there any other survivors?"
"I hope so but they'd be up ahead. Well met, strangers in the belly of the earth. I hope Ser Fenley won't mind, but I set up explosives here and there…figured I'd blow up as many of the spawn as I could before I embraced the stone."
"Ooooh, these were made by Dworkin, weren't they?" I asked with my eyes gleaming.
"How do you know my cousin?"
"Forgive Nathaniel for being so rude as to not introduce us; I'm Ara."
"Ah; my apologies for my distrust."
"No worries; I get it. Qunari forced him into hiding, and truth be told, they'd do the same to me if they knew that I could make shit that's stronger than their explosives. Stronger than this stuff too; but I'm disinclined. No real interest in the field."
"Well, Dworkin speaks fondly of you. He was always saying you brought him the 'best toys' and such," Temmerin smiled.
"I really did. You know, I'm very disappointed in you Nate; you shouldn't be down here. I don't care how much the First Dipshit is paying you, it isn't enough. The Red Lyrium here is dangerous. It causes insanity."
"First Dipshit?" Varric barked a laugh as Nate gave me a look. "You didn't tell me not too…"
"If you had come to us first, I could have told you it was a bad idea… let's make this tunnel go boom, yeah?" I was rubbing my hands with glee as I eyed the barrels.
"I thought you had no interest in 'boom'?" Hawke smirked at me.
I stuck out my tongue, "I have no interest in making the boom stuff, but I do love a good boom…"
"No wonder Dworkin liked you; you're practically his equal!"
I sniggered as Hawke grinned and said, "Corridors lined with explosives and Darkspawn galore? And it's not even my birthday!"
"Okay Temmerin; the way behind us is clear. We'll meet with you once we rescue Natia." I smiled.
"Aye; I've set the explosives all over the tunnels… blow up as many of those sodding spawn as you can. Luck to you all."
After all the fighting and we got to Natia, I was skipping with glee.
"Ara! Glad to see you, Salroka. What are you doing down here, though?"
"Saving Nate at his sisters' request. Finding you is just a lovely bonus!" I flirted with her and she laughed.
"Well if I knew I'd see you down here, I would have worn my pretty armor," she winked.
I set up camp when we got back to Temmerin; Natia and I flirting the whole blasted way, much to Fenris' amusement.
"I see you're still up to your old tricks, Ara… what are you doing to Nate and that cute Warden over there?"
"Playing Priest: I intend to see them married and living happily ever after before we send you home. Then you can take all three Wardens with you; Nate, Bethany and Carver. The twins won't be safe in Kirkwall any longer." I was chatting happily with my friend, ignoring Hawkes look of indignation at my words.
"Why won't they be safe?" Natia asked, instantly on alert.
"Wardens or not, Mages and Templars are about to have major conflict in Kirkwall. If Meredith flips her top and tries to annul the circle, she will likely go after Hawke, Bethany and I. Carver will stand with us, causing him to get caught in the cross-fire. I want them safe as I can get them. Nate is your second; with Bethany as his wife, and Carver as her brother, you gain the strength of triple their number. They're formidable and I'd stake my rep on them."
"You've convinced me. I give my blessing on the union, should they wish to act on it. Bhelen – King Bhelen – contacted me recently. I wasn't aware of your status as a Paragon until then. My sister has a second child; a daughter. They may not have named her after you, but half the other female children have been!"
I sighed. "Well, I only have the one god daughter. And if anything happens to Althild, then I will step in for the kiddo, but if they're all naming their daughters after me in hope…"
Natia laughed, "Not at all! It's common practice for a boom of children to be named after the most recent paragon! If you were male it'd be the boys named after you. That's just how it goes. But… Althild did send a letter to the Vigil. Things aren't looking so good for her. She may be dead in the next 2 years, give or take. She has the wasting disease."
"When did you get this letter… why was I not told?!"
"It arrived last month; days before we started this mission. We intended to contact you when we got back."
"You're damn lucky Delilah was so antsy, Natia. Without our help…"
"I get that, now. I already set it up so that little Vaala – that's what their calling her – will be escorted to the Denerim – to the King – when Althild does finally pass. In fact, I have two Wardens stationed over there ready to bring that kiddo out if Althild decides she doesn't want her daughter to see that…"
I pulled out my sending stones – thankful for the late hour when Alistair answered at once – and relayed the information.
"Thank you for telling me, love. When she… can we call her our daughter? Seems premature but I can't think of anything else…"
"Yes, love. When our daughter arrives, make sure she's well looked after, all right?"
"I'll have a room prepared for her at once; in the family wing of course!" Alistair sounded rather excited.
Hawke was looking at me in disbelief and Fenris looked stunned – probably that he didn't know that I had a god-daughter.
Bethany and Nate had hit it off like I'd hoped… they were damn near ready to tie the knot at once. I made them wait until we got back to Kirkwall. They would be married in the eyes of the Maker – it was their religion after all. The only reason I stepped in for Teagan was because I knew that he was attempting to delay in case Kaitlyn changed her mind – which she wouldn't.
After making Irish stew – which I just called Beef Stew – and a long nights rest, we were on our way to Kirkwall.
